Aussies power towards victory

Monday 16 January 2006 00:12 BST

Australia took a massive step closer to regaining the Ashes after Adam Gilchrist plundered the second fastest hundred in Test history in Perth.

Already 2-0 up in the series following their victories in Brisbane and Adelaide, Australia moved in for the kill on the third day at the WACA by dominating England with the bat before making a key breakthrough with the ball.

Resuming 148 runs ahead on an already commanding 119 for one, Australia hammered 408 runs in only 66 overs to declare 556 runs ahead and by the close the tourists had slumped to 19 for one.

Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke laid the foundations for Australia's run-spree by both hitting determined centuries, but it was the brilliance of Gilchrist which finally crushed England's spirit.

Gilchrist came within two deliveries of scoring the fastest Test hundred of all time, hammering 12 fours and four sixes to bring up three figures off just 57 balls.

His stunning display, which included hitting left-arm spinner Monty Panesar for 24 in one over, saw him narrowly miss beating the 56-ball ton by the legendary Viv Richards against England in Antigua 20 years ago.

Gilchrist added an awesome 162 in only 20 overs with Clarke to bury England under weight of runs.

Once Gilchrist had reached three figures Australia declared immediately and claimed their reward for their adventurous play by removing Strauss with the fourth ball of their reply when he was given lbw shouldering arms to Brett Lee.